Fundraiser launched in memory of Rupert - the cat banned from his local East Lothian Co-op store
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Rupert of Bankton was a regular visitor to his local Co-op store in Prestonpans, East Lothian, before a single complaint saw the adorable moggy barred from entering the shop.
The six-year-old ginger moggy was a popular sight in the town and he also visited a nearby carpet shop, garage and the town’s ambulance and railway stations.
Rupert’s owner even set up his own Facebook page to document his exploits in the town which attracted more than 2200 followers.
But fans of the well-liked puss were left saddened when he was unfortunately killed after being struck by a car near his home on Saturday.
Following Rupert’s death a fundraiser page was set up to erect a permanent memorial to “the absolute legend” and has managed to raise a massive £2200 in just two days.
Rupert’s owner posted a touching tribute to her pet along with new images of the friendly feline on the JustGiving page.
It reads: “Rupert was my cat but he didn’t like to stay home at Bankton, East Lothian, as evidently that was a bit boring.
“Instead he liked to visit Prestonpans train station, where he used to go up to people miaowing repeatedly.
“This led me to start his own Facebook page as he was regularly mistaken as a sad, lonely wee stray cat.
“When the covid pandemic struck and “his people” no longer appeared on the platform each day he changed his hang out to the local Co-op.
“Rupert quite enjoyed sleeping on the shelves in the Co-op but someone took umbrage at this and reported him to Environmental Health.
“This was a sad day but thankfully his other haunts were still open - East Coast Carpets, Links Vets, the local ambulance station as well as the garage and local factories.
“Rupert had a great but short life. He was adored by many.
“We would like to fundraise to put up a memorial of him in the local area.
“Any excess funds raised will be divided between Lothian Cat Rescue where he spent a night once after a well meaning person handed him in as a stray, and Edinburgh Cat and Dog Home.
“If you would like to donate in Rupert’s memory that would be wonderful.”
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Hundreds of locals have also taken to social media to pay their respects to the well-travelled cat.
Rupert was banned from his local Co-op store in January after a single complaint was made to East Lothian Council’s environmental health department.
And following the ban a member of staff at the store posted on social media at their disappointment at losing their regular celebrity visitor.
The post said: “We all love Rupert at the store and we’re disappointed said person couldn’t come and speak to us to voice their concerns and instead decided to refer us to the council.”
Anyone wishing to donate to the fundraiser should go to: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rupertofbankton